Kareem Jackson’s hit on Josh Dobbs may prove costly

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DL D.J. Jones

The big defensive tackle has been coming on during the Broncos’ winning streak after something of a slow start to the season. He made two plays against Buffalo out along the sideline. On Sunday night against Minnesota, he forced an Alexander Mattison fumble. In the closing moments, he rolled right over center Garrett Bradbury and hit quarterback Josh Dobbs, forcing an intentional grounding penalty.

S Justin Simmons

The turnovers are going to get all the attention, but Simmons made two fantastic plays on Minnesota’s last-ditch drive by knocking the ball away from tight end T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson’s a big, strong player, but Simmons wouldn’t be denied. Ever since he returned from injury in Week 5, Simmons has been terrific. And he even got an offensive snap as the deep back in victory formation to close out a win on his 30th birthday. Pretty good Sunday.

RB Samaje Perine

The veteran running back is seeing his playing time tick up thanks to his knack for making plays in the passing game and his ability in pass protection. One of his four catches on the game-winning drive, a third-down conversion of seven yards, was particularly impressive because he looked set to help with protection, recognized a four-man rush and leaked out for an easy pick-up. Perine’s third on the team in catches (32), receiving yards (326) and first downs generated on receptions (16).

WR Courtland Sutton

The Broncos’ top receiver isn’t likely to finish with a massive number of yards this year (he’s now at 499 through 10 games, an 848-yard pace), but he’s having a really good season nonetheless. Two numbers that encapsulate Sutton’s production: His eight touchdowns are already a career best and are double what he’d totaled in 33 games over the previous three seasons. Also, before this year his best catch percentage for a year was 59.7% of his targets in 2021. This year with Russell Wilson? 72.6%. He’s become Wilson’s most-trusted target.

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Run game

Minnesota’s defense provides a unique challenge, no doubt. Mike McGlinchey said the Broncos faced, “about every defensive front in the history of football,” on Sunday night. Even still, Denver generated just 46 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Over the past two games, they’ve not had a rushing play longer than 15 yards. Javonte Williams is a reliable, bruising back, but as Jaleel McLaughlin’s production has dwindled in recent weeks, so, too, has the explosiveness in the Broncos’ rushing attack. They’ve got to find a way to be more consistent and generate more big plays.